Site plans for Rite Aid, Lowe's in Lapeer get OK

LAPEER -- A site plan for a new Rite Aid store near downtown and the site plan for a Lowe's store and the "Cross Roads at Lapeer" development at I-69 and M-24 received unanimous approval and some praise from the Lapeer Planning Commission on Thursday.
Longtime Planning Commissioner Les Daum, who recently was appointed to a new three-year term on the commission, thanked developers of the Rite Aid project for working with the city to create an attractive store and gateway to Lapeer's downtown.
"I really appreciate the cooperation between Rite Aid and the City," Daum said.
After a planning workshop, developers added windows and outdoor lighting that matches antique lamp posts in the nearby downtown to the 14,564-square-foot store site plan, said Linda Jackman, the city's director of planning and development.
A pedestrian walkway, park benches, new tree plantings and parking all met or exceeded city planning requirements, Jackman said.
Developers agreed to work with the city to find a brick color that would match closely the brick exterior of the deAngeli Library across the street.
The proposed drugstore, which will be on the site that currently houses the Lapeer School District's administration offices at M-24 and M-21, will include a two-lane drive through.
In addition to plans for the Rite Aid, store, the Cross Roads site plan for the Lowe's store and three future retail outlets on the 41-acre northeast corner of the I-69 and M-24 interchange also were approved Thursday by Lapeer planners.
Lowe's 139,410-square-foot store, the second largest store model in the chain, is the only named retailer at the site.
Jackman said the developer was working with another retailer interested in a 127,000-square-foot building north of Lowe's, but agreement with that retailer was on hold until the site plan was approved.
Under an annexation agreement with the city and Lapeer Township, township officials will weigh in on the proposed site plans at a future township meeting.
The site plan includes some changes in driveway access on Turrill Road and extensive site work needed to address elevation changes on the property.
Retaining walls will be installed to allow tiers for parking lots and building sites.
Major site work will not start until city sewer and water lines are extended to the site.